Bedford

Bedford's population grew between the last two censuses. At the same time there were changes in religion, housing tenure and marriage.

The population reached nearly 160,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Bedford increased by 6.5%, from almost 148,000 to 157,000.

The addition of just under 9,600 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Bedford was home to, on average, 2.4 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Bedford

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Bedford increased by three years, from 36 to 39 years.

This suburban area had a slightly lower average age than Eastof England and had a similar age to the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of almost 3,700 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 2,000.

About 15% of people in Bedford are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Bedford by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Bedford

The number of people in Bedford that described themselves as Christian decreased from just over 100,000 in 2001 to about 93,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 69% to 59% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across Eastof England (from 72% to 59%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in Bedford that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 22,000 in 2001 to about 37,000 in 2011 (from 15% to 24%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from about 13,000 to just over 10,000 (from 8.8% to 6.6%).

About 8,600 people (3.3%) said they were Muslim, up from just over 4,800 in 2001 (5.5%).

The population who identified as Christian in Bedford decreased by 9.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Bedford by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

More single parents

The percentage of households in Bedford, which comprised a single parent, increased from 8.2% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in three (36%) households had a married couple, compared with 38% in 2001. The percentage of households in Bedford, which comprised a cohabiting couple, decreased from 9.0% to 8.9%.

The proportion of single-parent households increased faster here than in any other local authority district across Eastof England. The improvement brought health in Bedford close to the national average 11% in England described their health as good in 2011).

The percentage of households with a single-parent in Bedford increased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Bedford, Eastof England and England that had a single parent, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Bedford

The percentage of Bedford residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.7% to 3.3% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 7.1%, while the percentage of Bedford residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 90%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.7% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Bedford that rented privately increased from 9.9% to 16% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage that lived in social housing remained close to 16%, while the percentage of Bedford households that owned their home decreased from 72% to 66%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Bedford increased by 6 percentage points

Percentage of households in Bedford, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing relationships in Bedford

The percentage of adults in Bedford that were married decreased from 53% to 49% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under one in three (32%) people aged 16 and over said they were single, compared with 29% in 2001. The percentage of adults in Bedford that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of married people fell at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 54% in 2001 to 50% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 51% to 47%.

The proportion of married people was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Bedford residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.3% to 4.5% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (83%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 71% in 2001. The percentage of Bedford residents that described their health as fair decreased from 21% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 7.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Bedford decreased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Bedford, Eastof England and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Changes in family structure

The percentage of households in Bedford without children decreased from 60% to 59% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over 3 in 10 (32%) households had at least one dependent child, compared with 31% in 2001. The percentage of households in Bedford with only adult children living with their parents increased from 9.0% to 9.7%.

The proportion of households without children fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (which remained close to 61%). Across England, the percentage remained close to 61%.

The proportion of households without children was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of households without children across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in rate of unemployment

The percentage of Bedford residents that were unemployed increased from 3.1% to 4.5% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in two (54%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 56% in 2001. The percentage of Bedford residents that were self-employed increased from 8.0% to 9.5%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.6% in 2001 to 3.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.4% to 4.4%.

The rate of unemployment in Bedford increased by 1.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Bedford, Eastof England and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

More people worked short hours

The percentage of employed people in Bedford working less than 16 hours increased from 1.9% to 3.2% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under one in nine (11%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, compared with 14% in 2001.

The proportion of people working less than 16 hours in a week increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 1.9% in 2001 to 2.9% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 1.9% to 3.1%.

The proportion of people working less than 16 hours in a week in Bedford increased by 1.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Bedford, Eastof England and England that said they had worked less than 16 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

The percentage of Bedford residents that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.7% to 2.0% between the last two censuses.

The percentage who reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week remained close to 1.0%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 1.8% in 2001 to 2.2% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 2.1% to 2.4%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Bedford remained close to 2.0%

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Bedford by care, March 2001 and March 2011

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